Contemplate or play? Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hi all. This is the view from Te Mata Peak just out of Hastings on NZ’s North Island. Hastings city can be seen in the upper right and the town of Havelock North is closer in the lower middle distance. This was my first visit to Te Mata Peak but not my last, I hadn’t realized how accessible the view is. Next time I’ll make sure I get there in the early morning to catch better light.
I was lucky enough to catch a bit of FG interest the kids playing behind their mother (I think).
Enjoy, Paul.

daddo, dareco, syd1946, robertosalguero, AiresSantos, edytungkal, gracious, ChrisJ, trekks, Glint, Didi, plimrn, Photo65Net, axiotea, gary91, Gerrit, kiwi_explorer, jafadabret, Docarmo, josepmarin, JPlumb, danos, riclopes, jhm, PixelTerror, Henryk_Bilor, alainh, Vato_Law, zeca, jmdaoudal has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

daddo (11263) 2008-06-05 23:23

Hi Paul. Very nice vista over the cultivated and settled valley. incredible depth to the image. Lovely contrast between the sharp figures and the increasingly hazy distance.Quite a bit of smoke down there- probably from wood stoves and people burning leaves. Regards. Klaudio.

syd1946 (17807) 2008-06-05 23:54

Hello Paul,
The view is amazing with this never ending perspective...Also the woman and the two children in front are great addition to enjoy more the image.Very well seen!

Have a nice day,
Thomas

robertosalguero (2759) 2008-06-06 0:02

Hello paul,

What a view! One can feel inspiring just by sitting there and enjoying such wide panorama. Nice composition with good colours and details. The children add more life to the view. Thanks Paul.

Roberto

edytungkal (4513) 2008-06-06 0:22

You caught a fantastic pov here Paul despite the weather was not too perfect, but its nice to include the joyfull of the children on fg. Still a great shot Paul, thanks...

daniel

AiresSantos (41272) 2008-06-06 0:28

Hi Paul
Or both ? Beautiful view of the valley from this high POV. Excellent colours and sharpness.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Aires

dareco (17024) 2008-06-06 0:33

This is great! I like the children playing in the fg and the landscape is beautiful!! Very nice depth and plenty to see :) TFS and have a great day!

gracious (20017) 2008-06-06 0:45

Hello Paul,
Awesome view from Te Mata Peak with such height!
good focal point with good sharpness, perspectives and details!
many thanks for the sharing
have a wonderful weekend, Paul!
take care and best wishes
Tony

ChrisJ (69464) 2008-06-06 2:27

Hi Paul

A superb high vantage point, with good colour & sharpness. The fg children add depth. I tried a workshop.

[workshop] [compare] +

ktanska (16393) 2008-06-06 2:56

Hi Paul,
Great viewpoint looking down the valley with patchy farmland and mountain background. Kids add human touch. Vertical format fits well here.
Kari

Glint (2997) 2008-06-06 5:20

hello Paul,
I think the foreground intereest makes the shop. It gives the landscape a human dimension and a sense of scale. Good POV and composition with lots to see.
regards
Bev

pablominto (39884) 2008-06-06 5:47

Hello Paul,

This is a fine point to get an overall impression of Hastings and surroundings!
I like to see how farmland mix with residential areas, and the guys in front adds life and a sense of depth...

Greetings,
Pablo -

Didi (35680) 2008-06-06 10:35

Hi Paul
Very nice dominant point of view; the landscape is similar to an European country.
I appreciate the presence of young people in the foreground.
Best regards.

UnTrained (0) 2008-06-06 14:07

Hi Paul,
deep, deeper, the deepest. Just amazing how far we can see from that high POV. But the children do attract me more, nice play of them.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

crckt (6963) 2008-06-06 19:35

Hi Paul,
It is a nice POV, the inclusion of the people was very good IMO.
Very pretty!
TFS,
Shaeri

trekks (14260) 2008-06-07 0:59

hello Paul

A height like this overlooking a far distance over the valley really gives a good perspective view with so many patches of farms and dotted houses. Must be interesting to see either portrait or landscape composition depending on what lens focal you use. And you have composed this nicely to include the family as FG. The low light does give a softer and mood to the photo. I will be curious to find out how it looks in morning light too. Good work.

tfs, bill
later

Photo65Net (43084) 2008-06-07 1:04

Paul,
Superb depth in this one.
I like your choice for vertical format here, and how you composed the image with the people in the FG.
Regards,
JB.

axiotea (15897) 2008-06-07 12:13

Hello Paul
Interesting compo of the viewers along with the view... the FG combined with vertical format gives good depth and sense of distance. Natural colors are enjoyable.
Greetings
Marilyn

alvaraalto (5225) 2008-06-07 14:10

Hi Paul,

Really a picture that needs something in front to accentuate the enormous extensiveness of the landscape and the three person act very well for that.

Groet Rob

danyy (67924) 2008-06-07 15:49

Bonjour Paul,
la profondeur phénoménale de cette photo grâce à ce POV en altitude et une brume qui nous fait perdre l'éclat de certaines couleurs.
Un avant plan vivant.
Regards.
Daniel

toto (18539) 2008-06-07 16:11 [Comment]

Show Comment

gary91 (15319) 2008-06-07 21:27

Hello Paul,
Very nice composition where the vertical framing gives a very good depth behind the very good foreground formed by the kids.
Have a nice sunday.
Best regards, Christian

Gerrit (35423) 2008-06-08 3:34

Hj Paul,
fantastic picture. A picture with her alone would be great but this is just a little extra making it special.
Regards, Gerrit

kiwi_explorer (12195) 2008-06-08 4:49

Hi Paul,
The hazy horizon creates a nice depth to the whole scene. Good dynamics added by those playing kids. I like the neat patterns of the paddocks contrasting the rugged mountains. Well captured and composed. Well done! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

jafadabret (38907) 2008-06-08 10:41

Paul, chacun ses activités, le jeu pour les enfants, la contemplation pour les adultes. La photo est très belle et bien dynamisée par la présence des personnages. C'est vrai que le paysage est très beau et qu'il doit l'être davantage sous une belle lumière du matin ou du soir.
Jacques

dip (12408) 2008-06-08 11:39

Hi Paul,
beautiful landscape and good capture of the scene in the foreground,
good POV and framing,
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Docarmo (8812) 2008-06-08 12:13

Hi Paul,
Fantastic view, excellent DOF. People on the foreground are a lovely choice.
Congratulations,
MCV

josepmarin (33573) 2008-06-08 12:40

Hi Paul,
I like this effect of depth in the image that you have caught from a great POV, and how it is fading away into the landscape with an interesting range of gray.
The people in FG give the life and the color to this scene, with a good dynamism and a great reference to obtain this depth.
A beautiful work, my friend.
Best regards,
Josep

jmdias (18713) 2008-06-08 13:46

paul

very bautiful shot. The people inbthe foreground gave life and sense of distance to this huge field. We can fly away in this landscape. Good light, pov, colors

hugs

jorge

jaywalker (12186) 2008-06-08 14:51

Hi Paul, A well composed photo with the vertical framing & the lady looking out into the distance, the landscape is superb & I love the way it stretches for miles, excellent through-out, with a fabulous DOF, kind regards Wilson.

BWJ (1771) 2008-06-08 18:28

Hello Paul,
The vertical format is perfect for this magnificent view across the valley. I like very much the composition with the children playing in the forground. It's a splendid picture!
Warm wishes,
Betty

Stepan (27167) 2008-06-08 22:42

Excellent pov, excellent compo with these people I can imagine I am, here in that scene. Maybe the light is a little cold...
Stéphane

kiks (5973) 2008-06-09 3:02

A great place for both ;-)
What a view!!
LOvely composition.
Best regards
KIKs

JPlumb (3153) 2008-06-09 3:21

Hi Paul, I really like your perspective on this one, with good focus on the kids and their mother, but you've also taken in that huge scene beyond them, and done it with great clarity throughout. I like your choice of a portrait format in this case. It really gives a feeling of depth in the shot. Very nicely done.

Thanks, John

Graal (57220) 2008-06-09 23:37

Hi Paul,
good POV, beautiful landscape in BG, good vertical composition and format. I like it. Good work.
Gr., Aleksander

danos (31610) 2008-06-10 3:10

Hello Paul,
what a panoramic shot from Te Mata Peak! Really the the kids playing is a nice stroke in the whole capture.The hazy atmosphere in the background create a beautiful and idyllic scene.Well done.

Regards,Danos

somkiat (1096) 2008-06-10 10:02

hallo paul,
so nice landscape.the view can be kept in the very nice newly done.you took the spectacular angle indeed.the big wide wide shot was done well make me see the country.
somkiat

John_F_Kennedy (30581) 2008-06-11 3:38

Wonderful composition taken from the whole view. Excellent exposure, quality and colours.
Best wishes,
Achim

dvlazar (6468) 2008-06-11 4:03

Paul - lovely landscape with so much depth and interest in it. The people at the front of frame keep the shot really interesting and special.

Well done!!
Dave

Cretense (54720) 2008-06-11 8:38

Hi Paul!

Wow, amazing view, beautiful place, great vertical framing and composition! By including the people you have managed to put us in their position. Congratulations!

Hercules

edal (6553) 2008-06-11 22:42

Hello Paul!
This is a most extraordinary panorama - wide side up. It works very well - especially with those ladies as fg.
Friendly,
Anton

testmaniac (11832) 2008-06-12 0:17

Hello Paul, great landscape with perfect POV and composition. So nice view!

TFS

Phil

riclopes (32845) 2008-06-12 2:59

Play after contemplate :D Olá Paul, superb vertical view with amazing depth. So much layers and details to observe before reaching the misty hills in the background. Excellent trio in FG. Even the trunks are a good base at the bottom and through the empty space, the contemplative mother shows up ;-)
Cheers,
ric
p.s.- effective pp suggested by Chris.

PixelTerror (85994) 2008-06-13 3:06

Hi Paul,
Looks like there were somewhat hazy conditions on that day but I like here how the vertical framing restitutes well the depth of the scenery you can enjoy from there.
Have a nice day JY

jhm (81659) 2008-06-13 3:30

Hello Paul,

I like your vertical picture, so we can see it wonderful landscape, you show a good panorama view.
The childern in foreground are nice addition, the a few misty above the field care for good atmosphere.
very well done.

Best regards,
John.

Henryk_Bilor (20365) 2008-06-15 13:02

Hi Paul
Another one lovely distant view. I like the space. And I suggest after a play can contemplate ;).
Regards

alainh (35347) 2008-06-15 21:50

hello Paul
nice vertical capture. the focal distance crushes the plane differnets agreeably. a very good comoosition Paul.
firndly
alain

zeca (20024) 2008-06-16 19:58

Very nice composition, Paul! The people in the foreground is very sharp, adding excellent depth to the photo. Its a beautiful view!
Regards,
Zeca

Vato_Law (11636) 2008-06-17 11:58

Hello Paul,
Wow!! what A breath taking view, and how well the vertical format pays it justice!!
What an experience it must be to seat there and just enjoy the view.
Only the kids with endless energy to 'ignore' this fantastic view.
Cheers,
Paulo

skippy007 (6781) 2008-06-17 17:02

Hi Paul, fantastic depth in this scene, the inclusion of people was an excellent choice in my opinion almost a necessity, it not only adds colour but also perspective & at times importantly that human touch, mother, children playing.
A beautiful image.
Thanks
Santo

Angshu (33235) 2008-06-21 0:32

Hello Paul
The vertical framing suits this perfectly with the huge depth of the landscape in the BG, partly in the mist. The FG is interesting with the mother & two kids looking at the valley below. With your high POV, this is a fine picture indeed!
Regards
Angshu

giorgimer (20634) 2008-06-23 4:20

Hi Paul,

this endless BG is simply stunning. Beautiful colors, excellent composition.

TFS

Gio

Ivanyoudontknow (12) 2008-07-10 12:41

Hi Paul,
deepness, people in frant, sharpness. Super.
Cheers, Ivan

jmdaoudal (82) 2008-08-09 2:36

I like the scene here with different activities regarding to the wonderful landscape.
The picture is very well built with a good landscape in depth.
Compliments
Jean Michel

Flavia (10202) 2008-08-12 4:50

Hi Paul,

Interesting subject. I like the way you placed the people in the very botton. he vertical format was excellente to convey your message.

Regards,

Flavia